State of the Union Address 2012 by José Manuel Barroso, President of the EC

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José Manuel Barroso, President of the EC, delivered the State of the Union Address 2012 at the plenary session of the EP.
In this annual speech he made a strong case for new direction and a new thinking for Europe. The President sketched out the way towards more European unity to overcome the crisis and maintain sovereignty in a globalised world.
He notably presented to the EP a Decisive Deal for Europe which would be an expression of Europe's determination to reform together, to maintain the integrity of the Union and show the irreversibility of the euro.
Regarding the role of the European Central Bank (ECB) in the crisis, José Manuel Barroso showed his conviction that the ECB was acting within its mandate when monetary channels were not working properly and the integrity of the Euro needed to be secured. He strongly insisted on the need to develop a European public space, where European issues would be discussed and debated from a European standpoint.
The President then underlined the importance of a strengthened EP in this regard and the need for complementarity and cooperation between the European and national Parliaments. He finally called for a federation of nation States.
José Manuel Barroso concluded his speech with a strong expression to work for the EU's unity and the application of the Community method.